Cement applicator for building tape



Jan. 4, 1949. w. PETTY 2,458,297

CEMENT APPLICAT'OR FOR BUILDING TAPE Original Filed March 9, 1942 W/LCY PETTY.

Patented Jan. 4, 1949 2,458,297 CEMENT APPLICATOR FOR BUILDING TAPE Wiley Petty, Farmersburg, Ind., assignor to United States Gypsum Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Original application March 9, 1942, Serial No.

433,909. Divided and this application August 20, 1945, Serial No. 611,520

'11 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for coating wall tape with adhesive or cement, and more particularly to the proper distribution of adhesive on the tape in a manner to conform with wall construction requirements.

The present application is a division of my application Serial No. 433,909, filed March 9, 1942, now abandoned.

In erecting wall constructions wherein wallboard, plasterboard or the like is used to provide a substantially finished wall surface, it is common practice to employ reinforcing tapes, such as strips of paper, cloth, or other flexible material to cover the joint between the abutting edges of adjacent boards so that the boards are reinforced and sealed at the joints and a smooth and unbroken surface is provided.

In the present invention, a coat of adhesive, preferably a viscous cement or the like, is applied to the tape, which is then applied over the joint while the cement is still moist. The excess adhesive is removed and the tape is pressed into place and allowed to dry. It is common practice to substantially imbed the tape in cement, the excess being scraped OE and the dried surface sandpapered or otherwise finished to provide a smooth surface.

In the ordinary use of adhesive in wall construction, it is diflicult to avoid the use of excessive amounts of cement, which is uneconomical, or to avoid excessive distribution and messing up of the surroundings and of the operator. In order to insure that an adequate amount of adhesive is employed, this adhesive has sometimes been brushed upon both the joint and the sealing tape and, after the tape was applied, the excess could then be scraped off. Naturally this results in a more or less uneven application of the cement, and an uneven and unsightly or otherwise unsatisfactory joint. In order to make a satisfactory joint, it is desirable that the adhesive be pressed into, and close, the joint between the abutting edges of adjacent wallboards. It is also desirable that this be accomplished simultaneously with the application of the tape.

By the use of this invention, it has been found possible so to distribute adhesive upon a sealing tape as to permit the controlled application of a suitable amount of adhesive to the joint between the adjacent edges of adjoining wallboards to seal the same and at the same time permit the sealing strip to be snugly pressed into place. This is accomplished by providing a uniform coating of adhesive over the major portion of the tape and an increased thickness of adhesive along an intermediate longitudinal line corresponding to the joint between the wallboards.

One kind of tape in common use is provided with a plurality of small perforations distributed uniformly throughout the length of the tape and through which perforations a portion of the adhesive may be forced during pressure application of the tape to the wall. The present invention is adapted for use with any suitable tape and is particularly effective when used with perforated tape.

By the use'of this invention, a tape may be coated with controlled quantities of adhesive so that the outer surface has a very thin and uniform coating and the inner surface is provided with a relatively thick coating along the center line of the tape and of diminishing thickness towards each edge thereof. When the coated tape is applied tothe wall, the increased amount of adhesive adjacent the center of the tape is at least partially forced into the joint by the usual pressing and smoothing operations.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of coating tape with cement-like adhesive so that the amount of adhesive applied to various portions of the tape varies in accordance with requirements of the usual joint to be filled and covered.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a light portable combined adhesive applicator and tape dispenser which is cheap to manufacture, convenient in use, and Will not easily get out of order.

Further objects will be apparent from the specification and the appended claims.

In the drawings: r

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 as applied to a cement container and in position for us'e'in applying the cement to the tape.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 3+3 of. Fig. 1, and illustrates the tape guide and cement distributor.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cement distributor block.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the tape after the cement has been applied thereto.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the embodimentillustrated comprises a portable structure for use in connection with an adhesive container such as a pail-or the like, so that the entire assembly including a supply of adhesive may easilybe moved to convenient locations for use as required. 7

The tape cementing device comprises spaced side plates I and 2 which are rigidly secured together in spaced relation by means of elongated dowel pins 3 to form a rigid frame. In the present invention, substantially the entire structure is formed of wood in order to conserve metal and the device isdesigned so that it is particularly adapted to be contructed of this 3 material. However, it will be apparent that. any suitable material may be used.

The side plates I and 2 are cut away at 4 to provide an inverted substantially V-shaped slot through the frame so that the device maybe positioned over the side wall of a pail or other cement container as shown in Fig; 2. This con struction provides inwardly and downwardly extending arms 5 and brackets 6 for the support of guide rollers for extending the tape into the cement in the container. Guide rollers 1 and 8 are supported on suitable pintles between the lower ends of the brackets 6 and arms 5 respectively. A guide roller 9 is also rotatably supported between the side plates and adjacen the top thereof.

The upper ends of the side plates I and 2 project rearwardiy, as illustrated, and are provided with oppositely disposed angular slots 10 to receive the pintles of a spool 11, which spool provides the core of a roll of tape. The tape is not shown in Fig. 1, but is wound on the spool 'l l and threaded through the machine in the mam ner illustrated in Fig. 2.

Re'arwardly extending dowels 12 are supported in parallel relation on the lower ends of the plates I and "2 with their outer ends connected together by a cross member l3. This arrangement provides a foot rest so that the device may rigidly be held in positionby the foot of the operator in the manner shown in Fig. '2, while the tape is being drawn through the "device.

'Forwardly extending elongated dowels I' l are supported in parallel relation on the upper ends of the side plates I and 2 and an intermediate cross bar I5 is secured thereto so that the dowels extend a material distance beyond this cross bar. Cement distributor blocks 16 and I! are sli'dably mounted upon the free ends of the dowels Id and are retained snugly against the stop member I5 and in snug relation to each other by means of removable pins 1'8 extending through the dowels, (Fig. '3), so that all fOf lithe blocks are retained snugly in assembled relation.

The block l6 acts as a guide block for a suitable tape l9 and this guide block is provided With a smooth inner face 20 over which the tape l9 passes in close contact after it is threaded around the guide rollers previously described.

The block it is also provided at its lower edge with a comparatively sharp corner '21 which acts as a scraper for the outer surface'of the tape so that only a comparatively very thin coating of cement is distributed over this outer surface.

The distributor block perspective in Fig. 4 and cutaway to provide a tapered compression chamber 22 "between the block and the tape, so that when the device is in use, the chamber 22 functions to compress the cement against the surfaceof the tape, substantially as illustrated in Fig. 3. That-is, when the tape is pulled upwardly in the direction of the arrow,'the cement accumulates in the chamber 22 under considerable pressure and, therefore, forms a compressed coating -of the cement on the tape as it isdrawn through the blocks.

When the blocks are assembled, the-tapered chamber 22 forms a slot 2 2a (Fig. 1) between the blocks 16 and H. The width of this slot determines the thickness of the cement coating on the inner side of the tape, and the contour of the slot determines the distribution of the coating. The major portion of the iace o f the block I? within.the chamber 2-2 has been shown angular; however, it will be understood that it I1 'is illustrated in 4 may be arc'uate or, in fact,.o'f any suitable contour to provide the required pressure chamber so that the viscous cement will properly be formed and compressed on the tape. The block H is also arcuately cut away at 23 along the vertical central plane thereof so that the cement coating 2d (Fig. 5-) which is applied to the inner side of the tape is materially thicker adjacent the longitudinal center line as illustrated at 25.

The blocks to and I! are preferably made of wood andlthe slot 220. and the consequent thickness of the cement coating may be varied by the use of shims between the blocks. Also intercl'iangeable blocks may be provided so that the cement distribution may be controlled in accordance with various requirements.

using the device, "a roll of tape 19 is mounted in the grooves l-O of the frame and the tape is passed over the roller 9, underneath the rolls '1 and 8, and is then extended upwardly between the blocks it and H, as illustrated. The device is positioned over the side wall of a cement container 21 such, for instance, as an ordinary pail. The tape, therefore, receives a comparatively heavy coating of the heavy viscous adhesive and the desired thickness and distribution of this coatingis controlled as the tape passes through the pressure chamber "2-2 and-is drawn upwardly in the "direction of the arrow. Y

The block I? is provided with a spring member "2 secured thereto with the free end extendingupwardly into the pressure chamber 22 and resting "against the surface of the tape so that the tape is prevented from dropping downwardly into the cement when the coated portiontof the tape is severed abovethe guide blocks, The block "I"! is alsoprovided with upwardly extending spaced dowels 28which are preferably angularly positioned as shown so that they are out of alignment with the path of thettap'e, and a severing knife or the like 29 is supported on a cross bar 30, which latter is secured to the upper ends or the dowels as shown. After a required length of coated tape has been pulled (from the device, the tape is reasilysevered by pulling it, againstfthe knife29, the edge of this knife preterably "being serrated for the/purpose.

It "is 'in'temiled, of course, that the invention should not be limited to'thefs'pecific embodiment or embodiments disclosed herein, since modificat'ions may be made, audit is contemplated, therefore, by the appended claims to cover .any such modifications as ran Within the true spirit and scope "ofthis invention. a 7

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed and 'clesir'edto'be secured by Letters Patentis:

11. An adhesive applicator :and tape dispenser having a frame constructed to lbe positioned .over the side wall of .a cement container such as a pail, means .on said Tfra'me outside said container tosupport a supply-of said tape, means to .guide said tape downwardly and upwardly through .a supply of adhesive insaid container to apply a thick coat .of adhesive onboth sidespf said tape,- andadhesiv'e removing and compressing means overhanging said container and guiding the .free

upwardlyextendingend of said tape so .thatfsa'i'd tape may be drawn therethrough, said last .means' beingeonstructed to forma predeterminedecrosssectional 'contour of "adhesive on .said tape and to simultaneously compress the adhesive thereon sumciently to "retain said contour, and to provide a thi'cker'coating of adhesive on-one sideofsaid.

tape than "on the-other.

2. A portable adhesive'applicator and tape dispenser comprising a bifurcated frame to overhang the side wall of an adhesive container, means to support a supply of tape on-said frame, guide members to direct said tape through said adhesive and upwardly therefrom, one of said guide members being positioned above the adhesive in said container and having a slot for the passage of said tape therethrough, one side of said slot forming a straight edge scraper to removeall but a thin film of adhesive and the other side of-said slot being of a contour to form a thicker compressed coating of non-uniform cross sectional thickness.

3. In an adhesive applying and dispensin device for building tape, the combination of support means for a supply of tape, guide means for directing said tape through a bath of adhesive, adhesive removing and compressing means through which said tape passes to remove all but a controlled and compressed amount of adhesive from said tape, and a tape-engaging detent engaging said tape adjacent said adhesive removing 7 means to prevent reverse movement of the tape.

4. In an adhesive applying and tape dispensing device, a framework for supporting a supply of tape, guide means for advancing said tape through a bath of adhesive, adhesive removing and compressing means to remove all but a controlled amount of adhesive from said tape, and a tape shearing member positioned beyond said adhesive removing means and out of the normal path of said tape, said framework and the elements associated therewith being applicable to selected independent baths of adhesive to position said guide means for the indicated purpose.

5. In an adhesive applying and dispensing device for building tape, the combination of framework support means for a supply of tape, guide means for directing said tape through a bath of adhesive, adhesive removing and compressing means through which said tape passes to remove all but a controlled and compressed amount of adhesive from said tape, a tape engaging detent engaging said tape adjacent said adhesive removing means to prevent reverse movement of the tape, and a tape shearing knife positioned materially beyond said adhesive controlling means and out of the normal path of said tape so that said tape may be severed thereon to leave a portion of said tape extending beyond said adhesive controlling means, said framework and the elements associated therewith being applicable to selected independent baths of adhesive to position said guide means for the indicated purpose.

6. A portable adhesive applicator for building tape comprising means for directing said tape through a bath of viscous adhesive, and means for forming said adhesive into a predetermined crosssectional contour on said tape, said forming means comprising a scraper block against which said tape is pressed as it is Withdrawn from said adhesive so that only a thin film of adhesive remains on the adjacent side of said tape, and a forming block closely adjacent the opposite side of said tape and having a compression chamber open against the other side of said tape and into which the adhesive accumulates under pressure between said tape and said compression block, the upper edge of said compression chamber forming a tape guide and extrusion opening for said adhesive, said edge being of a contour to compress a greater thickness of adhesive along at least one longitudinal line of said tape.

7. In a cement applicator for building tape the combination with means for guiding. said. tape through a supply of viscous adhesive, of adhesive forming means having a slot through which said tape passes as it is withdrawn from said adhesive. the walls of said slot diverging in the direction from which said tape is advancingfrom said .ad-. hesive to cause said adhesive to accumulate in said slot under pressure, thecontour of. said slot transversely of said tape being formed to provide;

a coating of adhesive on at least one side of said tape ..which .coating is non-uniform in cross section.

8. A tape applicator comprising a pair of spaced side members secured together to provide a rigid frame, said frame being constructed to overhang the side wall of a container having a supply of viscous cement therein, means for removably supporting a roll of building tape between said frame members outside said container, means for guiding said tape through said cement so that it may be pulled upwardly therefrom, a guide member positioned above said cement and having a transverse slot through which said tape extends, one side of said slot forming a scraper to remove substantially all of the cement from the adjacent side of said tape, the other side of said slot diverging toward said cement and away from said tape to provide a compression chamber, the outer edge of said slot being closely adjacent said tape but irregular in contour transversely of said tape to provide a longitudinal ridge of compressed adhesive on said tape.

9. A portable apparatus for applying adhesive to building tape comprising a frame adapted to be positioned over the side wall of a container and suspended therefrom when said container is transported from one working position to another, guide members on said frame for directing a strip of tape through a supply of adhesive in said container and upwardly therefrom, a pair of spaced guides on said frame and extending over said cement and positioned on opposite sides of the path of said tape, a scraper block removably mounted on said guides for intimate scraping and smoothing contact with one side of said tape, a pressure block removably mounted on said guides, means to removably clamp said blocks together on said guides with said tape therebetween, the adjacent face contours of said blocks forming a slot therebetween of a width corresponding to the thickness of said tape and a predetermined adhesive coating, the walls of said slot diverging downwardly to form a pressure chamber for accumulated adhesive on at least one side of said tape.

10. A portable apparatus for applying adhesive to building tape comprising a frame adapted to be positioned over the side wall of a container and suspended therefrom when said container is transported from one working position to another, guide members on said frame for directing a strip of tape through a supply of adhesive in said container and upwardly therefrom, an outwardly extending foot rest on said frame so that foot pressure may be applied to oppose the upward pull of said tape, and a combined scraper and pressure means embracing said tape above said cement for forming a predetermined thickness of coating on said tape.

11. A combined guide and pressure means for tape withdrawn from a, supply of viscous adhesive, said means having a slot through which said tape is drawn, one side wall of said slot being substantially coincident with the surface of one side of 7 8 7 said tape and the other side wall wdiyerg ing downe a REFERENCES CITED wardly away-from said tape to provide a pressure chamber for accumulated adhesive to press said e f l wm references a e 9 reco i WE tape against said first-mentioned side ,wall, the 13.16 p fihiS patent Via/1150f said .slot being contoured to form .arela- UNITED STATES PATENTS tively thick compressed coating .of adhesive on one side of said tape, and to ,cause said coating Number V I a D to have a non-uniform thickness transversely of 952,106 .Francls 1 919 Said tape. r 1,050,510 Anderson .Jar 1 ,1 ,4 19,13 7, 2,280,415 Larmuth Apr. 21,1942 

